Ontario Birchbark

At its annual fall convocation on Nov. 14, Carleton University conferred an honourary degree upon Justice Murray Sinclair, chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Sinclair received a Doctor of Laws honoris causa in recognition of his stellar career in the judiciary as well as his dedication, care and service to Aboriginal and First Nations peoples and to all Canadians in leading the…

Three works in Ontario are among six inaugural reconciliation projects† to receive funding through the Canada Council for the Arts, /the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation /and The Circle on Philanthropy and Aboriginal Peoples in Canada. They are the Reconciliation Film Project for the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada and Productions Cazabon in Ottawa; Project Charlie by…

Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child and Family Services signed a revised protocol concerning the delivery of Child and Family Services. This is the first time that DBCFS is a signatory to this agreement. The signing of this protocol signifies the renewed commitment between the seven First Nation communities, DBCFS and the five children’s aid societies in that jurisdiction to continue to work…

A monument commemorating Shannen Koostachin, a young Cree activist from Attawapiskat First Nation, was unveiled on Oct. 24 at the New Liskeard waterfront. Koostachin led the struggle for a new school in Attawapiskat, and was nominated for the International Children’s Peace Prize.

Tyler Fauvelle, based in Sudbury, created the figurative bronze sculpture. It depicts Shannen dancing in…

Cardinal wins Schellenberg award, Métis actress and Indigenous film legend Tantoo Cardinalis the newest recipient of the annual†August Schellenberg Award of Excellence. The prize recognizes significant professional and personal achievement by an Indigenous actor of all genders from Turtle Island. Cardinal†has worked in film and television for over 40 years,…

New scholarship for architectural school. Toronto-based LGA Architectural Partners, which designed the new School of Architecture at Laurentian University in Sudbury, has established an annual scholarship with a $10,000 endowment. Starting in 2016, the Rya and Eric Levitt Memorial Award will benefit an Aboriginal student entering first year at the architecture school. The…

Consultations underway for culture strategy. The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport has launched a province-wide consultation to develop the first†Culture Strategy for Ontario. The province is working with an expert advisory group, members of which have expertise and diverse perspectives on the role of culture in Ontario. They will provide advice to the government on the…

Effort to provide legal guidance to tackle discrimination. The Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres and the Human Rights Legal Support Centre have partnered to deliver training to friendship centre staff across the province to promote access to legal services for Indigenous people experiencing discrimination. The training kicked off at N’Swakamok Native…

Wind farm begins operation. Batchewana First Nation’s Bow Lake wind farm began operating late last month. The joint operation between Batchewana, and BluEarth Renewables Inc. represents one of the largest economic partnerships between a First Nation and a wind energy developer in Canada. Located about 80 km northwest of Sault Ste. Marie, the Bow Lake wind farm features 36 wind…

Campaign for First Nations war hero. The Department of Canadian Heritage will contribute $80,000 in funding through its World War Commemorations Community Fund for a project to honour Francis Pegahmagabow, the most highly-decorated First Nations soldier in Canadian history. The money represents about half the cost of the project, which is being spearheaded by the Ontario…

A jury has begun hearing the details surrounding the deaths of seven First Nations youth spanning an 11 year period. The youth came to Thunder Bay from their remote northern communities to continue their secondary education.

Dr. David Eden, the coroner who is presiding over the inquest, thanked the jury “for the commitment and personal sacrifices involved in your involvement in an…

Starting in 2016, all
bachelor of education students at Queen’s University will be taking a mandatory
course on Aboriginal education, history and culture. Educators say the course
will help future teachers support Indigenous students while creating a
welcoming, inclusive learning environment. “If we have teachers in elementary
and secondary schools who don’t have…

The Ontario Waterpower
Association and the University of Sudbury have formed a partnership
aimed at enhancing Indigenous education for waterpower industry professionals.
“The University of Sudbury’s department of Indigenous studies
promotes an understanding of Aboriginal peoples, their traditions, aspirations
and participation in communities,” said Paul Norris,…

Bronze monuments
honouring the Huron-Wendat Confederacy and John Graves Simcoe, the first
Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada, were unveiled on Aug. 1 at the Rotary
Champlain Wendat Park in Penetanguishene. The monuments, by Tyler
Fauvelle, were commissioned by the Town of Penetanguishene as part of the
community’s Rendez-Vous Champlain 2015 celebration. The…

Alvin Fiddler was elected
Grand Chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation, the largest political territorial
organization in the Ontario region. Fiddler was elected with 30 votes on first
ballot over incumbent Harvey Yesno with 12 votes and Les Louttit with two by
NAN Chiefs at the 34th Annual Keewaywin
Conference in Aroland First Nation held on Aug. 12. Three Deputy…